A Journey Through Classical Music: Must-Know Instruments


 Having been around for centuries, Indian classical music has transcended boundaries to mesmerise audiences worldwide. Deeply rooted in tradition, Indian classical music is divided into two main forms: Hindustani classical music from the North, and Carnatic classical music from the South. Although they have their distinct characteristic, one thing that unites them is the range of instruments used to bring the compositions to life. 


Let us see some of the instruments used in Indian classical music - 


  1. Hindustan Classical music


  • Sitar - One of the most recognizable instruments, a sitar has a long neck, gourd-shaped body and metal strings that create mesmerising sounds to create deep emotions among the audience. A sitarist uses a wire plectrum to pluck the strings and create rich, resonant tones. Legendary Pandit Ravi Shankar and Pandit Nikhil Banerjee made this instrument famous on the global stage as a symbol of Indian classical music.  


  • Sarod - This is a fretless string instrument that requires the musician to glide smoothly between the notes. With 4 to 6 strings accompanied by additional sympathetic strings, a sarod’s sound is deep, weighty, powerful and haunting. It is considered one of the pillars of Hindustani classical music and was made famous by master Ustad Amjad Ali Khan through his expressive capabilities on the instrument. 


  • Sarangi - Brought to world recognition by masters like Ustad Sultan Khan and Dhruba Ghosh, a sarangi is integral to both classical and folk music. It is a bowed instrument which often mimics the human voice. It has a short neck, 3 main strings, and is played using a bow while the sarangist presses their fingers on the strings to create different sounds. 


  • Bansuri - Bansuri is one of the most popular instruments in Hindustani classical music due to its deep connection with Indian culture and mythology. Bansuri is a bamboo flute that can produce warm, soothing sounds that can convey both the emotions of joy and sorrow. To play the Bansuri, a flautist blows air across a side hole and covers different finger holes to change the pitch. Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia is one of the first flautists to bring Bansuri’s ability to the world stage. 



  1. Carnatic Classical Music 


  • Mridangam - It is a double-headed percussion instrument that rhythms to the Carnatic music. A mridangist plays it by tapping and striking the two drumheads to produce various sounds. ‘Tala’, a mridangam’s rhythmic pattern is the foundation of Carnatic music and is the must-know instrument for aspiring musicians. 


  • Khanjira - This small, handheld percussion instrument plays an important role in creating dynamic and lively Carnatic performances. By striking the drumhead with the palm and fingers, a percussionist creates intricate rhythmic accents on the Khanjira. 


  • Ghatam - This instrument, which is made from clay, has deep, hollow tones that add texture to the depth of classical music composition. A percussionist plays the haram by tapping its surface with their fingers and hands to produce resonant and earthly sounds to complement the rhythms of the music. 


  • Tanpura - This is a common instrument that complements both Hindustani and Carnatic classical music. This long-necked string instrument provides constant drone sound which helps the musician maintain pitch and atmosphere throughout their performance. 



Conclusion


From Sitar to Mridangam, classical music instruments offer a wide range of possibilities for musical expression. Whether you want to learn Hindustani music, or just understand the beauty of Carnatic music, these instruments will be integral to your musical journey. 


So, if you are interested in knowing more about these instruments, why not take the first step?


Online music classes like Artium Academy offer a variety of music courses that are tailored to the needs of the students. From Carnatic music classes to learning Tabla and the use of digital instruments like Tanpura, Artium can help you reach your musical potential. 

So, don’t wait, book a FREE trial and start your musical journey with the timeless sounds of classical music.

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